March 25, 2011 - Flathead County, Montana

WEDNESDAY, MARCH 23, 2011
(Continued)
Commissioner Trusler noted the meeting today was to get a feeling from the Flathead County Commission as to whether
they want to proceed, and what they would need in order to feel comfortable starting the process of forming a water
district.
Commissioner Holmquist commented the information today has been great and explained she is not ready to make a
commitment today. She stated she agreed something does need done and said her first thoughts are that more needs to
be done at the point source; where lakes are contaminated, rather than trying to catch something that is a moving target.
Commissioner Barron said so often counties have to be reactive because we don’t have the sources and funding to deal
with a problem. He stated a water district is an opportunity to be proactive and would make a huge difference with local
control.
Miske explained if major points of entry into the state were targeted it would make a huge difference.
Commissioner Lauman spoke in favor of Flathead County, Lake County and the tribe working together and taking the next
steps.
CONSIDERATION OF REJECTING BID: COURTHOUSE FURNITURE RESTORATION
10:00:17 AM
Members present:
Commissioner Dale W. Lauman PT
Commissioner Pamela J. Holmquist
Members absent:
Chairman James R. Dupont
Others present:
Assistant Mike Pence
Commissioner Holmquist made a motion to reject the bid received for courthouse furniture restoration. Commissioner
Lauman PT seconded the motion. Aye - Lauman and Holmquist. Motion carried by quorum.
PUBLIC HEARING: INTERMOUNTAIN PROVIDENCE HOME CDBG
10:01:58 AM
Members present:
Commissioner Dale W. Lauman PT
Commissioner Pamela J. Holmquist
Members absent:
Chairman James R. Dupont
Others present:
Assistant Mike Pence, Grant Writer Debbie Pierson, Charles P. Wilhoit, Marcia Riecke, Don Patterson, Pam
Schapper, Toni Laurendear, Dee Inceronato, Kathy Holley, Robert Holley, Gay Langford, Diane Piorek, Rita
Livingstone, Bill Livingstone, Jutta Phillips, Phyllis Anderson, Anne Miller, Janet Loranger, Carole Erickson,
Justine E. Nelson, Berni McDonald, Don Loranger, Wayne Miller, Rhudi Miller, Steven Buyan, David Cramer,
Ralph Yeager, Marc Liechti, Terry Chaney, David Miller, Gerald Molen, Mr. Fitzgerald, Michael G. Didier,
Thomas E. Sliter, Clerk Kile
Pierson reported part of the CDBG process is to hold a second public hearing to consider the potential impacts and
benefits of Intermountain Providence Home. She explained what is being pursued is a public facilities grant that requires a
25 percent match by the project. It was noted the grant is primarily designed for projects that support low to moderate
income families, and has to be applied for by a city or county government who can request up to $450,000. Pierson stated
a combined public hearing was held earlier this year with multiple service agencies to collaboratively hear the public’s
needs for the community. She noted multiple needs were presented and Flathead County is looking at moving forward
with a public facilities application for Intermountain Providence Home.
Dee Incarnado, 218 Beach Road, Bigfork; Chairman of Intermountain Providence Home detailed the specifics the
application would be rated on.
Community Planning and Citizen Participation
Intermountain has been serving children and families in Montana for more than 100 years. It has had a presence
in the Flathead community for over three decades with rented facilities for about the last three years. The
organization and its staff do many positive things for Flathead County, and have many solid partnerships in the
community. The sponsorship of this grant will be just one of the representations of these partnerships.
Providence Home (our Emergency Shelter) partners with schools, doctors, dentists and county agencies to offer
many essential services to more than 50 children every year in the community who have nowhere else to go.
Need for Project
Since opening its doors in 2009, Providence Home has cared for more than 80 children, the youngest only eight
weeks old. It has turned away at least half that many children due to space and staffing limitations.
Abuse numbers: In a recent 10 month period, there were more than 550 reports of abuse and neglect in
Flathead County with Flathead County Child and Protective Services alone. Flathead County has 17.5
percent less residents than Missoula County, but receives only two percent fewer reports of abuse. The
current unemployment rate in Flathead County is 11.8 percent. The state average of unemployment is 7.2
percent. (The shelter serves children in surrounding communities, which also have high abuse/neglect
rates).